USAID Shut for Good: Millions at risk in Kenya, thousands jobless overnight 

The USAID-funded Tujenge Jamii project – now closed – focused on HIV prevention and treatment, nutrition, sanitation, maternal health 

Multiple humanitarian and development programs in Kenya that rely on US funding have been officially terminated. Letters notifying organisations of the funding cuts were sent to grantees, marking a significant step towards a potential crisis for millions who have benefitted from these initiatives over the years.

USAID Tujenge Jamii Project among those terminated

One of the affected projects is the USAID Tujenge Jamii initiative, a partnership between USAID, Deloitte, FHI 360, and Goldstar. Deloitte, which managed one of the sub-awards, confirmed the termination in a letter to Nakuru County’s Department of Medical Services.

In the letter seen by Willow Health Media, Deloitte Director Bernadette Wahogo-Irungu wrote that the letter served as a formal termination of the project. “This action is taken pursuant to the termination clause of the Award and in response to the directive from USAID,” she stated.

Impact of USAID Tujenge Jamii on health services

The multi-million-dollar USAID Tujenge Jamii project focused on HIV prevention and treatment, nutrition, sanitation, maternal health, and strengthening the capacity of counties, communities, and organisations to deliver quality health services. Initially designed as a five-year program running until 2026, the project had already made a significant impact in its first year.

Nakuru County reported that the program:

• Reached 20,223 key populations and 1,534 adolescent girls at high risk of HIV.
• Provided ART treatment to 41,992 clients across 110 facilities.
• Conducted HIV testing for 130,387 individuals.
• Distributed over 12,002 HIV self-testing kits.

With the program now being wound up due to its termination, thousands of people living with HIV could face severe challenges in accessing treatment and support.

Funding cuts and the US government’s position

The termination comes despite the Trump administration previously granting a three-month extension for life-saving programs. This latest move suggests a firm stance by the US government in withdrawing from ongoing funding commitments.

USAID Tujenge Jamii is among 10,000 global projects that the Trump administration plans to shut down, including 5,800 USAID-funded initiatives and 4,100 State Department-funded projects. On 26 February 2024, the US government announced that termination letters were being processed and that most awardees would receive official notifications within two days.

Kenya facing HIV drug shortages amid funding cuts

This development comes at a time when Kenya is already experiencing shortages of some HIV drugs. According to the commodities dashboard managed by the National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NASCOP), essential HIV medications were out of stock at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) as of the end of January.

However, Dr Ruth Laibon-Masha assured the public that the government was actively managing the situation. She stated that in the event of a complete withdrawal of US funding, the government would prioritise health in its budget to ensure continued availability of life-saving medications and services.

What next for Kenya’s health programs?

As the full impact of these funding cuts unfolds, many vulnerable communities remain uncertain about their future access to critical health services. The termination of these programs signals a major shift in US foreign aid policy, with potentially devastating consequences for those who have relied on these initiatives for survival.